As neither the gross income or gross expenditure of this Parish Council exceeded £25,000 for the financial year to 31.3.18 the Parish Council as certified itself from a limited assurance review under ...

Melbury Abbas & Cann Group Parish Council

Melbury Abbas is a village nestling at the foot of Spreadeagle Hill on the C13 between Blandford and Shaftesbury and across to the parallel A350. Mentioned in the’ Domesday Book’ as ‘Meleberie’ ,the shape of the village has changed little over the centuries with its roots in farming. Another long standing local industry is the mining and working of local greenstone from which many of the local homes are built. St. Thomas’s Church with its tower is roughly in the centre of the community near the old school which is now a private home. The area is within the Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has many scenic walks which include one to the historic Melbury Beacon in use at the time of the Armada and during the Napoleonic Wars.

Cann (Shaston St. Rumbold), which is on the major route between Blandford and the historic town of Shaftesbury forms an integral part of our joint parish council. It is believed that the body of Edward the Martyr would have passed through the Parish on its way to Shaftesbury Abbey from Corfe Castle in 981 AD. It also has a strong base in farming and agriculture and for many years has been milling flour for the community. On the western edge of this parish is Guys Marsh where a war time hospital has evolved over the decades into one of Her Majesty’s Prisons.

There are strong groups within the community using the village hall as their hub to host events throughout the year. Please visit the Local Community and News pages.